The return of Anwar Ibrahim

Tonight Anwar returns to UM the same place from where everything began for him 40years.It is a triumphant return for a man who had been beaten to the pulp and charged with all kinds of crimes.He keeps coming back again and again after each setback.

He achieved what many have failed - united the people of diverse ethnicity and ideologies to "bring to its knees" the repressive and abusive regime that is ruling for over 6 decades.He may not have succeeded to bring it down totally yet but he has ignited the process which will can never be extinguished.

Today Malaysi a is at its worst - racism.corruption and power abuses at their peak.Even hate is being used as a political tool to cling on to power.Only the younger generation of Malaysians can put a stop to all these dangerous trends of racial and religious hatred and confrontation.And I think they will.
Tomorrow is D-day for Anwar Ibrahim.The powers that be are all out to put him behind bars.But Anwar is not intimidated by all these.Age may be against him but definitely his spirit is for him and the people who look up to him.They may imprison him but they cannot put out the spark he has ignited.

The UM rally today confirms that younger leaders are ready to carry his torch to bring change.Anwar may not personally succeed but definitely he will go down in history as a man who dared to do what is right,something which many will not dare.

The nation prays for Anwar as he prepares mind and soul to go to jail for one more time.At 67 years it may not be easy for him but if he is willing to accept that sacrifice,the least we can do is give him the moral and spiritual support.God bless Anwar,God bless Malaysia

Mahatma's Gandhi's 145th birthday

There is enough for everybody’s need, but not for everybody’s greed

Mahatma Gandhi was known for doing what he preached and preach only what he did. He wanted to be like one of millions of the poor Indians in his country whom he represented.  

On this 145^th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi I would to share a story of the humility of this great man which should be an inspiration for all of us especially the politicians who claim to be working for the people.

A little boy was greatly distressed to see the way Gandhi was dressed. Such a great man yet he doesn't even wear a shirt, he wondered.
"Why don't you wear a kurta, Gandhiji?" the little boy couldn't help asking finally.
"Where's the money, son?" Gandhi asked gently. "I am very poor. I can't afford a kurta."
The boy's heart was filled with pity.
"My mother sews well", he said. "She makes all my clothes. I'll ask her to sew a Kurta for you."
"How many Kurtas can your mother make?" Gandhi asked.
"How many do you need?" asked the boy. "One, two, three.... she'll make as many as you want."
Gandhi thought for a moment. Then he said, "But I am not alone, son. It wouldn't be right for me to be the only one to wear a kurta."
"How many Kurtas do you need?" the boy persisted. "I'll ask my mother to make as many as you want. Just tell me how many you need."
"I have a very large family, son. I have forty crore (400 million) brothers and sisters," Gandhi explained.
"Till every one of them has a kurta, how can I wear one? Tell me, can your mother make kurtas for all of them?

At this question the little boy became very thoughtful as he could understand what Gandhi meant.

Forty crore brothers and sisters. Gandhi was right. Till every one of them had a kurta to wear how could he wear one himself? After all the whole nation was Gandhi's family, and he was the head of that family. He was their friend, their companion. What use would one kurta be to him?

Gandhi gave up almost everything he had so as become like one of the ordinary citizen in his country, until he was left just clad in a loin cloth. He wanted the leaders to be examples and role models but he did not just preach but lived to show them what he meant. He conquered greed, hatred and violence and promoted peace and love towards all mankind.

At a time when corruption is so rampant all over the world including in our own country, Gandhi stands out as a conscience in the hearts of men especially political leaders who claim to be working for the ordinary man on the street, who suffers in poverty and struggling to make ends meet for him and his family. Gandhi’s leadership by example should many hypocrite leaders to shame but unfortunately today not many feel ashamed of the greed that engulf them.

57years Merdeka nation on reverse gear despite progress

Merdeka 57 – Hopeful despite gloomy 

This year our Merdeka is of special significance. It is 57^th year of independence that was obtained from the British in 1957.Independence did not come automatically, it was hard-earned with the blood and sweat of our forefathers of all races. Despite having come from different lands and diverse cultures, they came together as citizens to fight for our independence and to make this land their cherished motherland for them and their children. 

 

They then worked hard to develop this land to what it is today. No one community can claim sole responsibility for our success as it was with the concerted efforts of all that we could achieve all that have today. Our forefathers started from extremely humble beginnings, being poor padi farmers, rubber tappers and tin miners. They gave everything they had to make this country their own,which they were proud to call Malaysia.

But today the country that we have inherited from our forefathers is far from what it was before. We are now into our third generation after independents but things have begun to go wrong, far from the ideals of forefathers on which the nation was founded. We are so divided by race, creed and colour of our skin like never before. The very existence of a multiracial population is being questioned by the younger generation who seem to be have guided by a distorted history of our origins.

Belonging to the second generation of immigrants to this country it is sad to know all our contributions and sacrifices are not only not appreciated but our sincerity and loyalty to the nation is questioned.We have nowhere to go and many have not set foot in any foreign land including that from where their ancestors came.We are not here to question the provisions of the constitution under which our nation was founded  and which must be safeguarded at all costs by all. The citizens of all races are all here to stay for good and it is time for our leaders to accept this as a fact and emphasise it to the youth to ensure lasting  peace and progress of our nation.

As an environment of gloom and despair looms over us by the increasing polarisation of the people, the suppression of the rights of the people, injustice against those who defend truth and the fear that grips those who do good, let us search our hearts sincerely to see where we have gone wrong.Let’s get rid of the hatred and suspicion from our  hearts for people of different race and faith and replace them with goodwill and tolerance as it was during the days of our founding fathers.

Many believe that our nation can only be saved through divine intervention but such intervention will never fall from the sky but only prevail through sincere conversion of our hearts by adopting love and good will for fellow men not hate and suspicion that we all harbour now.We may all be different but are one in spirit as Malaysians.

Good bye Bro.George Lim

The final farewell to Bro.George Lim

George Lim

28 August 1935 - 31 July 2014

TBC is deeply saddened and disturbed by the sudden and untimely death of its most active and senior most member. He left us without saying goodbye. We miss him dearly and will continue to feel the pain of his loss for a very long time.

Meanwhile let us continue with our activities with greater fervour especially our services for the sick, elderly, poor and needy. Let us encourage one another to develop our ailing TBC.

...

May our departed beloved Bro rest in peace

 

from
TBC Community

Tussle for MB post a test of Pakatan survival

--> Time for Anwar to call it a day

With PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s support for Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim, he has indicated openly his refusal to support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to replace Khalid with his wife and PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah.This stand by the PAS leader may and backed by Tok Guru Nik Aziz virtually puts a stop to Anwar’s “Kajang Move” that is aimed at strengthening the Selangor government and using the state capture Putrajaya in the 14GE.Hadi’s support for a ‘Umno MB’ over his Pakatan allies may indicate the reviwal of old interests of the Islamist party with Umno that could lead to the breakup of the opposition coalition. 

Moreover Khalid’s refusal to step down despite not getting the support of his party and his likelihood of resorting to royal support may help him hold on to power at least till the next GE.The significant result of such a scenario will be a great setback for Anwar from which he, at age of 66, may never be able to recover and that may put an end to his political ambitions. There are already many close to him abandoning him and if he loses in this bid to oust Khalid he may once again become a resident of Sg.Buloh,this time a lonely one.

The battle to replace Khalid,initially seen as a simple party process has become a crucial test for Pakatan's unity and probably even survival.The collapse of Pakatan will have serious consequences as it would not only mean the return of Umno-BN which the people rejected in two general elections but also the loss of a strong opposition.

Most fair minded Malaysians will agree that Khalid should have the integrity to step down from the post having lost the confidence of his party as it was the party that put him up there in the first place.How can a  BN-aligned administer a Pakatan-ruled state? 

 
Despite Pakatan having ruled five states since 2008,it is unfortunate that is no proper system of selecting the MB is in place. Selection by consensus may be ideal but it is not possible all the time. This lack of say from component parties led to the fall of Kedah in the last elections. As to the replacement of Khalid Ibrahim this time in Selangor, there must be a vote among Pakatan leaders on the choice of candidate from those nominated by their parties. PKR may have nominated Wan Azizah and she may be a good choice but that must be decided by a democratic process among Pakatan leaders and not by any individual including Anwar. 

Looking at the developments in Pakatan on a more positive view will reassure many that with PAS out of the coalition,new forces may may realign to make Pakatan Rakyat stronger as PAS,in particular the Ulama faction, has always been looked on with suspicion by other two partners.As the new forces realign the old ones led by Anwar and Kit Siang too must exit to make way for younger leaders to adapt to changes and new realities on the ground today.

As for Anwar, while we appreciate what he has done so far in creating a formidable opposition, but time has come for him to leave the centre-stage to the younger leaders. I am sure he has the wisdom to realise that he, like all leaders, is not indispensable and failing to leave at the right time may end him losing all he has gained over these years. All his sacrifices will come to naught if the bickering over the MB post leads to the breakup of Pakatan Rakyat.

Anwar must see the ongoing ‘Khalid experience’ as a clear sign that soon everyone close to him will desert him. In fact the choice of his wife for the MB’s post itself speaks volumes of the mistrust he has for anyone else in the party. This is indeed a very sorry state for a leader who managed to accomplish the unprecedented feat to garner the people’s support and almost became the PM after the13GE.

The signs are showing that Anwar must leave and he must do so gracefully. It will be for his own good that that of his wife and family. At 66, there are much more beautiful things in life for him than politics where he is increasingly seen as becoming irrelevant. Those who admired his courage, supported his ideals and stayed with him loyally during thick and thin do not like to see him leave beaten, disgraced, disappointed and a broken man. 

They will miss him but will never forget him as he will go down in history as the man who dared to stand up to an abusive, unjust and corrupt regime and one who created a formidable opposition called Pakatan Rakyat which many others before him failed.

Tomorrow a second chance in life

 

 

Something useful to think about.

If you make a mistake today, there always tomorrow to correct yourself. If you let that tomorrow slip by, you will feel sorry one day. You may never get another tomorrow if you are so stupid to let go of this tomorrow. So be wise to take advantage of this tomorrow before it is too late for another.

City vagrants and image problem

The warning by the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor to penalise soup kitchens and round-up the homeless in KL city only goes to show that the minister is totally out of touch with the plight of the poor, especially the urban poor, who are finding it extremely difficult to make ends meet with the high cost of living in the City.

 Most of poor and homeless in the city are old, sickly, ex-drug addicts or are abandoned by their families for their unacceptable behaviour earlier in life. Most of them have changed and want to lead normal lives but are not able to do so as they are penniless and jobless for various reasons. There may be some foreigners among them but most are our own locals who seem to have been marginalised from the mainstream of development.

 The warning by Tengku Adnan that soup kitchens in Kuala Lumpur have to move out of the city centre or face getting punished is very shocking. What crime have these kind-hearted Samaritans committed? What type of punishment is he referring to and under what laws will they be charged? It is ironical that those who are willing to go out of the way to help the poor are being warned not to do so.It is extremely ridiculous that those who want to do good are punished but real criminals go scot-free. What type of culture are our leaders promoting? What message are they sending to the young?

Distributing food to the urban poor is not the real problem but not doing anything to address the increasing urban poverty is. Homelessness is not the real problem but ignoring the need for basic housing for the poor is. Vagrants living on the streets of the city is not the real image problem but having citizens, in particular leaders, living is great luxury but with no heart for the pain and suffering of the poor is the real image problem.

 It is shocking that many of the poor have been homeless for years, living on the pavements and fed by concerned fellow Malaysians of all ethnicity. It is encouraging to know that just as the vagrants come from all races so are those who are managing the soup kitchens that feed them. The love of ordinary citizens to help their fellow men in need transcends race and creed unlike those in power, who are more concerned with who they help

Ku Nan seems to be worried about the image problem created by poor vagrants roaming the streets of the city. But in actual fact that is not the real image problem but having citizens, in particular leaders living in luxury, but with no heart for the suffering of the poor is the real image problem. Apathy to the pain of others is the biggest image problem we face today in our country.

We were once proud of the image we had in the world, united and harmonious despite our diversity, peaceful, courteous and extremely helpful even to strangers. But today can we claim to have that same image that we can all be proud of as Malaysians?